• By the Advocate Editorial Board
• Originally published November 11, 2009 at 4:36 p.m., updated November 11, 2009 at 4:40 p.m.

We knew the chance of two overpass projects on Zac Lentz Parkway moving up for state funding was remote, but now we are happy the overpass bridges are on the drawing board again: one at Salem Road and the other at Mockingbird Lane. We are encouraged that this paired project - estimated to cost about $23 million - had moved up close to the top 10 projects that the Texas Department of Transportation would likely fund.

Apparently, because of right-of-way acquisition problems for the top three projects, which are expensive proposals, - they were dropped, according to District Engineer Lonnie Gregorcyk. The removal of those projects left state funding that would cover projects rated 11 through 14. The Victoria overpasses project was ranked at 14.

The announcement Tuesday by Gregorcyk was good news because the overpasses are considered needed safety features that will help traffic flow near one of our new high schools - East High School - at Mockingbird Lane. Also, the intersection at Salem Road has been deemed dangerous because of traffic-related deaths there. We urge the state, county and city to work out the contracts for these overpasses so they will be reviewed and approved by the Texas Transportation Commission because they will provide a great measure of safety that will prevent accidents and probably save lives.

Both overpasses are expected to be contracted as early at December 2010 and completed in 2011-12.

Next year in fall, about 1,650 students will be traversing in and around East High School, and, likely, they will be turning on Zac Lentz Parkway. This prompted the state to plan signal lights at both intersections because the overpasses would not be finished that early. The cost of that signal-light installation will be $250,000 to $300,000. But as Gregorcyk said, it is an investment in safety.

We agree wholeheartedly. Anything that would make the intersections safer should be implemented. Again, we thank TxDOT for moving our project up for funding and implementation. We'll have a much safer Zac Lentz Parkway when this is completed.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

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